Goliad County Judge Shares Life-Changing Heart Care Experience at DeTar Healthcare System
3/10/2026
After a lifetime dedicated to serving others, Herman L. Roe, II, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Goliad County, recently found himself on the receiving end of care — and credits the cardiac team at DeTar Healthcare System with helping him return to the bench stronger than ever.
Earlier this year, Roe underwent a minimally invasive procedure to implant a dual chamber leadless pacemaker performed by Jasvinder Sidhu, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group. The advanced device helps regulate the heart’s rhythm and was part of a groundbreaking advancement introduced locally in 2025.
DeTar Healthcare System became the first hospital in Victoria and the Crossroads region to offer the dual chamber leadless pacemaker for patients with bradycardia, providing access to advanced heart rhythm care close to home.
“This technology allows us to treat both chambers of the heart without the traditional wires and surgical pocket required with standard pacemakers,” said Dr. Sidhu. “By eliminating those components, we can reduce complications and help patients recover faster while improving their quality of life.”
For Roe, 77, the procedure came after months of concerning symptoms.
“One night as I was laying down, I felt like my heart was rocking me,” Roe said. “My wife checked my heart rate and it was 149. My normal resting heart rate has always been in the mid-50s.”
After several trips to the emergency room and attempts to regulate his heart rhythm, Roe met with Dr. Sidhu, who specializes in the electrical system of the heart.
“Dr. Sidhu is incredible at what he does,” Roe said. “I would wholeheartedly recommend your heart’s electrical care to him.”
Roe’s life has been defined by service. A Vietnam veteran, he spent 16 years working in law enforcement in California, including time as a K-9 officer in Stockton where he and his partner were recognized by the Western States Canine Association as the top K-9 team in the West in both 1978 and 1979.
After moving to Texas in 1991, Roe continued serving his community as a criminal justice instructor with Victoria ISD, director of the police academy at Victoria College and later as a professor of criminal justice. Today, he serves as Justice of the Peace for Goliad County Precinct 1.
Despite maintaining an active lifestyle — including daily walks and staying physically fit throughout his career — Roe began experiencing irregular heart rhythms that disrupted his routine.
After two ablation procedures and additional treatments, Roe and his care team decided a pacemaker was the best long-term solution. Unlike traditional pacemakers implanted under the skin in the chest, leadless pacemakers are placed directly inside the heart through a catheter-based procedure.
“I remember my father having a pacemaker with a noticeable lump in his chest,” Roe said. “With this one, there are no scars and no visible device.”
Dr. Sidhu says the technology offers important benefits for patients.
“Leadless pacemakers are smaller, minimally invasive, and designed to provide long-lasting therapy while allowing patients to maintain an active lifestyle,” Sidhu said. “Our goal is to bring advanced cardiac care to our community so patients don’t have to travel to larger cities for treatment.”
Roe underwent the procedure on February 3 and spent one night in the hospital before returning home to recover.
“The doctors and nurses at DeTar were great,” Roe said. “They were kind, vigilant and truly focused on the care of the patient.”
Within a week, Roe returned to the office, gradually resuming his normal schedule. At a follow-up appointment, the pacemaker settings were adjusted to better match his activity level.
“Now I’m rolling at full speed,” Roe said. “My energy level has increased, and I’m walking more than 10,000 steps a day.”
Receiving advanced care locally made a meaningful difference for Roe and his family.
“Being close to home is a Godsend,” Roe said. “As you get older, you don’t want to be driving in Houston or San Antonio traffic. But beyond convenience, it’s the quality of care I received that I’m thankful for.”
Now back to serving the community he loves, Roe says the experience has given him a new appreciation for the caregivers who helped restore his health.
“I feel blessed that I met the people who put me back on track,” Roe said. “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped take care of me.”
For more information about cardiac services at DeTar Healthcare System, visit detar.com.
Photos:
First Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker in the Crossroads: In 2025, DeTar Healthcare System became the first facility in Victoria and the Crossroads to offer a dual chamber leadless pacemaker for patients with bradycardia, performed by Dr. Jasvinder Sidhu, cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group. This advanced, minimally invasive technology improves heart rhythm control, reduces complications, extends battery life and delivers safer, more comfortable cardiac care close to home.
Jasvinder Sidhu, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group with Judge Herman Roe at his follow up appointment at DeTar Medical Group discussing his procedure and follow up care.
Jasvinder Sidhu, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group
Herman L. Roe II, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Goliad County.
Jasvinder Sidhu, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group, shakes Judge Roe’s hand following his visit.
Jasvinder Sidhu, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist with DeTar Medical Group with Judge Herman Roe at his follow up appointment at DeTar Medical Group.
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